What is God's Perspective?
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· 97 viewsGod’s Perspective gives you hope and moves you to action
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Introduction:
There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.
Paul’s encouraging words tell us very clearly that we must not get thrown off course by focusing on things we see…here today, gone tomorrow, fleeting…quick to fade. Paul knew from experience — it is vitally important to keep our focus on things that will last.
Introduction:
When I was a kid, our toys were pretty simple: Matchbox cars, Tonka toys, sticks, rocks, etc. But once in a while I would get a toy telescope or binoculars. I also had a Viewmaster - pretty cool. I never really liked kaleidoscopes - they got boring really fast. I probably liked the toy binoculars the best, because they let me see things close up (sort of).
Grown up binoculars are awesome! I like the kind that automatically focus. Here’s what I know for sure…looking through the wrong end of the binoculars is very disappointing.
Most of you have experienced seasons in your life when things seem out of focus. For me, there have been times when I get stuck in the moment…and I can’t see clearly what’s up ahead because I am too focused on current problems, frustrations, or challenges. I guess you could call that myopia (short-sighted).
Most of you have experienced seasons in your life when things seem out of focus. For me, there have been times when I get stuck in the moment…and I can’t see clearly what’s up ahead because I am too focused on current problems, frustrations, or challenges. I guess you could call that myopia (short-sighted).
I think it is really important to have a spiritual eye exam once in awhile. When you look toward the future, what do you see? Can you see anything good, or anything at all? Do you have expectations for certain things to happen over the next year, 5 years, or more?
I think it is really important to have a spiritual eye exam once in awhile. When you look toward the future, what do you see? Can you see anything good, or anything at all? Do you have expectations for certain things to happen over the next year, 5 years, or more?
It’s possible for us to get so pre-occupied with our struggles, and life at this moment, that we cannot imagine walking with God in a powerful relationship. Instead, we settle for sort of coasting, or drifting along. Have you given up on some things God has placed in your heart? On making a difference for Jesus…becoming a powerful witness of His love?
It’s possible, actually quite common, for people to get so satisfied with smallness, so comfortable with where they are, they really don’t want to think too far ahead.
Paul’s 2nd letter to the church at Corinth revealed something about his perspective — he had God’s perspective. If not, there would be no way for him endure such a difficult life. In chapter 4, verses 8-11, he listed some things he suffered because of His bold witness for Jesus: hard pressed on every side; perplexed; persecuted; struck down; always facing the possibility of losing his life for the sake of the Gospel. Because he had God’s view, the persecution did not crush him, destroy him, or cause him to be in despair. In fact, the light of Christ shined all the more brightly in the face of these troubles. Chapter 4 concludes with one of my life verses
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.
PRAYER
Big Idea: God’s Perspective gives you hope and moves you to action
just look at Paul’s life
Interrogatory: Can we have God’s perspective…even just a little bit?
GOD’S PERSPECTIVE CHANGES THE WAY WE PERCEIVE
Exposition
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Therefore — Why do “we not lose heart?” (13-15)
We know beyond a doubt that God, who raised Jesus from the dead, will also raise His people — hope!!
These verses are all about perspective — Paul’s could have this perspective only because of what Jesus did in him.
Our default setting is to have a trouble-focused perspective
God wants us to have His eternal perspective which is full of life and hope
No matter what Paul might face...
He had the end-game in mind
He was using the binoculars correctly
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
2 cor 4
Treasure: The message of the Gospel
Jars of Clay: Had little value or beauty — a perfect place to hide treasure. Paul pointed to his own human frailty — demonstrating that the power of the Gospel is from God, not us
…God’s perspective changes the way we perceive
God Renews My Mind
God Renews My Mind
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
When we surrender our lives to Christ — He forgives, redeems, and transforms us — into a brand new creation
A BRAND NEW PERSPECTIVE
A RENEWED MIND
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
We no longer fit the image of this world — new perspective — through God’s eyes
…God’s perspective changes the way we perceive
…God’s perspective changes the way we perceive
God Protects My Mind
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
Application
We all face battles (spiritual, physical, emotional) and run into trouble on a regular basis
Face your battles and victories from God’s perspective
Face your battles and victories from God’s perspective
He is the commander!
His weapons are perfectly designed to serve us well
His Word
His Spirit
His Righteousness
His People
Transitional: Thank you Lord for a renewed mind…thank you for changing our perspective
Transitional: Thank you Lord for a renewed mind…thank you for changing our perspective
GOD’S PERSPECTIVE CHANGES THE WAY WE ACT
exposition
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
Paul knew he was giving his life for the sake of the Gospel…he would either work himself to death or face martyrdom. But he wasn’t about to quit…because He had God’s perspective. He was likely beheaded in Rome during Nero’s reign - mid 60’s AD
He knew he was giving his life for the sake of the Gospel…he would either work himself to death or face martyrdom. But he wasn’t about to quit…because He had God’s perspective. He was likely beheaded in Rome during Nero’s reign - mid 60’s AD
What was Paul’s ultimate goal?
The Ultimate Goal: Heaven
Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.
Illustration: The cicada is one of God’s miracles, making their annual NOISY appearance in midsummer (usually). They have a long life-cycle…it can range fro 2-17 years…mostly underground. While in the ground, the Cicada forms an outer-shell — exoskeleton. When that shell reaches its end, the Cicada burrows out of the ground, perches on a nearby tree or plant, then sheds it’s outer shell…emerges as a beautiful insect…and flies away.
The outer shell helps the Cicada to form into what it will eventually become. This crazy, complex, and unpredictable life we live, with all it’s troubles and challenges, prepares us for our true destiny — “an eternal glory that outweighs them all” The glory and blessings of eternity with Jesus make the difficulties of this life…the cost of serving Him faithfully, seem like nothing.
The Immediate Goal: Glorify God
What can we do to glorify God?
Seek to see things through His perspective and live accordingly
Make an impact for His Kindgom
What kind of impact do I want to make?
Lead people to Jesus
Convince them through authenticity
Convince them with your story
Convince them by the power of the Holy Spirit
The only way we can glorify God and make a lasting impact is by having God’s heart…His perspective
Are you totally convinced that after this life is over, every man, woman, and child will face God in eternity?
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.
That keeps us vigilant, you can be sure. It’s no light thing to know that we’ll all one day stand in that place of Judgment. That’s why we work urgently with everyone we meet to get them ready to face God. God alone knows how well we do this, but I hope you realize how much and deeply we care.
The Message
It’s no light thing to know that we’ll all one day stand in that place of judgement. That’s why we work urgently with everyone we meet to get them ready to face God...
Conclusion
What is God’s Perspective?
In our limited way of thinking, it seems impossible for us to see things the way God does…to have His perspective. Obviously, we are not omnipotent…we are not God. But He has revealed His heart…what makes Him tick. We find it so clearly shown throughout the Bible. So, yes, we can see things from His perspective in a very real way.
see things the way God does…to have His perspective. Obviously, we are not omnipotent…we are not God. But He has revealed His heart…what makes Him tick. We find it so clearly shown throughout the Bible. So, yes, we can see things from His perspective in a very real way.
God’s Perspective gives you hope and moves you to action
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Let’s get our binoculars flipped around the correct way. Then we can have a powerfully hopeful and challenging perspective…from God’s heart
One thing we don’t know is how long it will be before Jesus returns
Another thing we don’t know is how long we have on this earth or, even more important, how long our friends and loved ones have — the ones that do not yet know Jesus.
CHALLENGE
We are living on borrowed time — that’s a fact
As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
What is God’s perspective?
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
Each day we have opportunity to follow God’s heart
Be alert - Don’t allow the drama, distractions, and perplexities of life to get you side-tracked
Get your perspective in line with God’s — right side of the binoculars
And live your life that way — in everything you think, say, and do
Determine to listen for the heartbeat of God
To catch the vision of God
God’s eternal perspective will move us to act
Be obedient
God’s perspective will drive us to our knees and to God’s Word
God’s perspective will birth in us a renewed love for lost and hurting people all around
Act on it…put hands and feet to that love
It’s time to speak, witness, pray, get out of our comfort zones
Why? Because that is God’s heart…His perspective
Are you willing?